The word war has so many ambiguous connotations that it is often used as a catch-all term for any conflict or struggle. Political manifestos, news articles and literary publications may refer to ‘the war against terrorism’, ‘the war of nerves’ or ‘a war of attrition’, despite the fact that these situations are usually different from a full-scale military engagement.

Similarly, the notion of war has been defined in a variety of ways by the various sub-disciplines that have tackled its study. The main problem in defining war is to distinguish a clash of arms from riots or rebellions, collective violence from personal violence and a metaphorical clash of values from an actual or threatened clash of values.

Military historians, for example, are concerned to analyse the organisation and conduct of war and to identify continuities in its nature even where it may appear that every encounter is unique. They are also interested in identifying the factors which drive men to battle, or the motivation which leads them to cling on to a hope of victory against overwhelming odds. This cognitive element explains why forces with distinct advantages have sometimes failed through a breakdown of morale, and it is also the reason why the same force which triumphs in one battle will often suffer defeat in another.

International relations theorists tend to define war as large-scale organised violence between political units (Levy 1983; Vasquez 1993). They are interested in issues of authority, such as who has the right to declare war, and in how the decision is made. They are also concerned with interpreting the relative strengths, potential and forecast intentions of rivals. This is called net assessment and aims to understand the rivals’ ‘ways of war’ and the ideas that will sustain them, allies or international opinion in support of their cause.

Some philosophers have argued that the major causes of war are found in man’s psychology. These approaches range from sweeping, intuitive assertions of human nature to complex analyses using the concepts and techniques of modern psychology. They include pacifist positions which allow for war as a form of support or deterrence and more ambitious theories claiming that the principal cause is an innate desire for power.

In general, scholars have found it difficult to prove any of these theories. One reason is that, by their very nature, wars are difficult to study and predict. Moreover, focusing on a single aspect of human nature or behaviour tends to ignore other cogent explanations which are offered by competing theories. For example, an emphasis on man’s rationality can ignore deep cultural structures which may persist in the face of appeals for peace and a biological inclination towards pugnacity in certain individuals. It can also overlook the influence of historical events, societal changes and technological breakthroughs which have often had an impact far wider than expected.

A world war is generally defined as a major international conflict that involves most or all of the world’s leading powers. The term is most often applied to the two world wars that took place in the first half of the 20th century. Those wars, also known as the Great War or the First World War, were devastating for their participants—losing a generation of young men—and for the countries they left behind. They spelled disaster for Germany, the United States and other Allies as well as for the Ottoman Empire, Austria-Hungary and Russia. By the end of 1918, four of those initial belligerents had been defeated; a fifth—Britain—had lost its empire; and the last, Austria-Hungary—was in turmoil, with Chancellor Friedrich Ebert asking for an armistice to avert civil war and revolution.

Ultimately, the causes of world war were numerous and complicated. Imperialism—the desire of powerful nations to expand their territory and influence—was a significant factor, as were nationalist movements that compelled people to decide their allegiance on the basis of ethnic or cultural identity rather than shared interests. The conflict was also sparked by a series of diplomatic incidents, and exacerbated by secret diplomacy—those “secret sympathies” that fueled tension between European countries.

Yet the decisions that led to the outbreak of the crisis in August 1914 were influenced by much longer-term forces as well, including competing long and short-term foreign policy goals, political pressures at home, and a system of opposing alliances that had evolved over decades. Meticulously researched and masterfully written, The Sleepwalkers tells the story of how these and other forces converged to bring Europe into a world war in just five weeks.

The world has learned a great deal about Ukraine over the past few years—most notably, its heroic resistance to Russian aggression. But this conflict has also illuminated a tumultuous history of the region, which was for centuries ruled by several powerful neighbors and then, ultimately, by the Soviet Union.

The Ukraine of today is a multiparty state with a president and prime minister. Despite an economic crisis brought on by the conflict, Ukrainians continue to work hard and remain optimistic about the country’s future.

Ukraine is a major industrialized and agricultural powerhouse, producing natural gas, petroleum, steel, and coal, and growing winter wheat and sugar beets. It is also a key transportation hub with a large network of rail, road, and air routes.

Its landscape varies from rolling hills to vast plains, with the Carpathian Mountains running through its western region. A number of major rivers, including the Dnieper (Dnipro), Southern Buh, and Donets Rivers, flow through Ukraine. The country has abundant deposits of mineral resources, particularly iron ore and coal.

In late 2004, mass protests dubbed the Orange Revolution forced the government to annul rigged presidential elections and allow new internationally monitored votes, which swept a reformist slate led by Viktor YANUKOVYCH into office. The YANUKOVYCH administration faced frequent criticism from Western observers over its use of state resources to promote ruling party candidates, interference with media access, and corruption.

As a result of the political turmoil, Russia’s influence in Ukraine has increased significantly. Russia’s takeover of Crimea, in particular, has fueled nationalist sentiment among some Ukrainians and deepened popular mistrust of the West. In the past, nationalist sentiments were vigorously suppressed by Soviet leaders, but after World War II they became increasingly fervent.

Beets are a mainstay in the cuisine of Ukraine, and this hearty dish is one of the most well-known. Featuring tender chunks of beef, beets, carrots, cabbage, and fresh dill, borscht is a comforting meal that can be enjoyed all year round. For an even healthier version of the classic, try substituting the meat with lean ground turkey or chicken instead.

The two countries share a number of objectives, including fighting back against Russia’s annexation of Ukraine, halting the flow of technology to both North Korea and Iran that could enhance their capabilities, preserving international peace and stability in the Middle East, and managing competition in cyberspace. But the accumulated grievances on both sides, profound differences in values, interests and conceptions of global order, and domestic factors in each country are such that a sustainable partnership or a significant improvement in relations is unlikely.

As a result, US-Russian ties are now at their most hostile level in decades. With Putin’s military build-up, Russia’s escalating aggression in Ukraine and Syria, and his unabashed attempts to influence elections around the world, Americans have little reason to hope for a U-turn.

At the same time, most Americans continue to view Ukraine as a critical national security interest and support the work of the United States, NATO, and their Ukrainian allies to bolster the country’s armed forces. A clear majority also has a favorable opinion of Ukraine’s leader, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and high confidence in his ability to do the right thing regarding world affairs. Moreover, deep partisan divides remain over how to respond to the current crisis. In particular, Republicans and Democrats continue to hold very unfavorable views of Russia – though those views have declined somewhat this year. Overall, the Pew Research Center finds that fewer Americans than in 2020 say they believe Russia poses a major threat to their nation’s interests, and that those with very negative views of the country have dropped significantly over the past year.

Liberal vs Democrat is a commonly used political term that refers to a person’s position on certain policies and beliefs. It is important to understand the difference between the two, as they can be misleading if they are used interchangeably.

A person who is a liberal generally believes in the philosophy of modern liberalism which promotes freedom and equality. They are open to different viewpoints and believe that everyone should have the right to make their own choices without being constrained by the beliefs of their ancestors. They tend to support progressive government policies and regulations that seek to promote social welfare and economic equality. This includes supporting labor unions, progressive taxation, environmental regulation, and addressing social justice issues like racial equality and LGBTQ rights.

On the other hand, a Democrat is a member of the Democratic Party which is one of the two major political parties in the United States. They tend to be more liberal than the Republican Party and support a more activist role of the federal government in promoting social welfare, regulating the economy, and protecting civil rights. They also have a greater belief in the need to address climate change and other global issues.

While there is a significant overlap between the positions of a liberal and a Democrat, it is important to remember that not all Democrats are liberal, and not all liberals are members of the Democratic Party. Individuals may have a mix of conservative and progressive beliefs that do not align with either of these categories, or they may belong to a third party.

The largest country on Earth, Russia has forbidding forested mountains, vast Arctic expanses, and fertile river valleys. Yet it also is endowed with abundant natural resources, including large reserves of oil, gas, and precious metals, that have made the nation one of the world’s wealthiest. These riches have not translated into prosperity for most Russians, who have suffered from years of political and economic instability.

The nation’s revolving door of rulers has accentuated this discontent. The famine and devastation of World War I led to mass protests and the overthrow of the ROMANOV Dynasty in 1917. The brutal rule of Iosif STALIN strengthened communist control and led to the formation of the USSR, a global superpower that battled the United States during the Cold War (1947-1991).

With the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, Russia emerged as an independent sovereign state with a market economy. Vast reserves of oil, natural gas, and timber have helped the nation to recover from the financial turmoil of the 1990s. Nevertheless, poverty rates have remained high, as privatization of industry and the emergence of a new class of wealthy oligarchs has shifted wealth from the government to private hands. The ruble has lost value and older people have watched their life savings disappear.

Despite these economic problems, Russia has reasserted itself as a global power through its foreign policy and military strength. Its annexation of Crimea and armed intervention in Syria have sparked the biggest East-West showdown since the Cold War. Domestically, President Vladimir Putin has presided over a steady shift from democracy and cooperation with the West to more nationalist and authoritarian politics.

Having been invaded by Mongol hordes for 300 years and having faced near-successful invasions by both Napoleon and Hitler, many Russians suffer from a deep sense of insecurity. Their fear of being conquered from the outside is reflected in their aggressive antipathy towards NATO, which they see as an existential threat.

The majority of the nation’s population lives in the western European portion of Russia, which contains the capital city of Moscow. Other major cities include St. Petersburg (formerly Leningrad) and the Ural Mountains region. The Russian Far East and Siberia contain fewer residents but are rich in natural resources, particularly coal and timber. Environmental issues plague these areas, as well as the core region surrounding Moscow, which with its industrial activity and large urban expanses introduces sewage and chemicals into rivers and lakes. Its air quality is also poor because of heavy automobile use. There are eight time zones in Russia, and its icy northern climate makes travel difficult except by train. The vast wilderness of Siberia is a magnet for adventurers and naturalists. The nation has a long history of folk music, ballet, and theater, as well as a vibrant art and poetry scene. Russians speak several languages and follow a wide variety of religious and secular traditions. In addition to ethnic Russians, more than 120 other nationalities live in Russia.

Amid a rising tide of geopolitical rivalry, Ukraine finds itself on the frontlines. The escalating Russo-Ukrainian war is the bloodiest conflict in Europe since World War II, and it threatens to damage Russia’s relationship with many of its European allies.

For decades, the two countries forged close economic and cultural ties. But the outbreak of war in 2022 has rekindled long-running divisions. In the west, the majority of Ukrainians support closer integration with Europe, while in the east, most want closer ties with Russia.

Russian President Vladimir Putin framed the war in terms of his quest to restore Russia’s status as a great power. Losing control of Ukraine and letting it fall into the West would have been a blow to Moscow’s image.

Nine months into the war, it’s unclear how long the fighting will last. The outcome is even more unsure given that Russia’s forces appear incapable of recapturing Kyiv or occupying significant territory beyond the separatist enclaves of Donetsk and Crimea. Nevertheless, Ukrainian forces have made progress in regaining territory through offensive operations.

At the same time, Russia has escalated intimidation tactics. Chatham House Stavros Niarchos Academy Fellow Magdalene Karalis writes that the onset of war has also brought a new kind of information warfare, with Ukrainian forces relying more on civilian reporting through open-source intelligence (OSINT). The result is that the traditional kill chain has been altered, and Ukraine now has a more flexible and resilient network of intelligence, she says.

World News, also known as international news or foreign coverage, is the field of journalism that deals with news occurring in countries outside one’s home nation. It is considered a subfield of national news in most countries, although it is possible for some nations to consider world news their primary field of interest (although this would often involve covering events that directly affect the nation). World News is usually covered by a full-time correspondent (who is stationed abroad and files stories regularly to his/her editors) or by special envoys sent abroad on short-term assignments, such as a war journalist.

AP’s global team is focused on covering the stories that impact the most people around the world. This includes breaking news stories, in-depth reporting and analysis, video, photos and interactive graphics. AP’s global team of journalists deliver world-class content on the hottest topics in real time.

As the world faces unprecedented challenges, our team of journalists are there to bring you the facts. We provide trusted, in-depth and unbiased coverage of world events from the people who live them.

From a small country on the edge of the continent, Israel has shaped itself into a global player. And now it’s facing a new threat.

Israel gave more than 1.1 million Gaza residents 24 hours to leave the seaside area, warning that a ground operation was imminent.

In the age of fake news, it can be difficult to tell what’s real and what’s not. Here are tips to help you navigate the online sphere and stay informed about what’s happening in the world.

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Israel has lined up its infantry and armor along the border with Gaza, telling residents they must evacuate in order to avoid a military offensive against the militant group. A family whose home is near the border shares their story of being trapped in a conflict they say has left them with nowhere to go.

Conflict is a struggle, an opposition or a clash. In literature, conflict provides the tension that gives a story its shape and purpose. Without it, a story can drift aimlessly and never get moving. A key component of conflict is the antagonist. The antagonist is any force that thwarts the protagonist’s main desire. It can be an enemy, an authority figure or any other oppositional element in the story. Conflict is also a way to develop character by forcing the character to act in ways that reveal their true natures.

Conflict can occur over material or social resources. For example, a person may feel that they don’t have enough time to study and take care of work, family and friends. This conflict over time can lead to resentment and even violence if not managed well. Conflict can also arise over ideas, values or opinions. For example, a person may believe that their religious beliefs are more important than their job. This can result in a major clash over whether or not to quit their job and pursue their faith full-time.

An effective conflict resolution requires understanding all parties involved. This can be difficult, but it is essential to resolving the conflict. It is helpful to examine all aspects of the problem and consider the underlying causes. Identifying the root cause of the conflict can help you avoid repeating the same mistakes in the future.

Another way to resolve conflict is through negotiation with your opponent. This involves listening to the other party’s concerns and analyzing their logic. It can also involve brainstorming solutions that might benefit both parties. This type of conflict resolution is often used in business situations to resolve disputes between companies or employees.

The final method of conflict resolution is mediation. This involves meeting with all involved parties to discuss the issue. It can be done face-to-face or via video conference. The mediator will facilitate the discussion by ensuring that all parties are heard and that their viewpoints are balanced. The mediator will also provide a framework for reaching a solution that is beneficial to everyone involved.

Conflict is not just an interesting literary device, it is an integral part of our lives. We face conflicts every day, from simple misunderstandings to serious arguments. If we can learn to recognise the different types of conflicts and how to resolve them, we will have a much more peaceful life. Conflict is inevitable, but the ways in which we respond to it can make all the difference. When it is managed effectively, conflict can bring people together and help them find common ground. When it is not, the result can be devastating. It is important to learn how to handle conflict in a healthy way and how to avoid it completely.

World news is the jargon used by journalists for foreign coverage. It may also refer to stories about international issues or global topics, such as summits of multilateral organizations. In the days before national newspapers existed in most European countries, when the notion of nation-states was still incipient, it made sense for local news to be supplemented by foreign news reports. This is why the first newspapers to be established in Europe were often called courants (English), Nieuwe Tijudinger (Dutch) or Avisa Relation oder Zeitung (French).

The world continues to suffer from a number of major natural and man-made crises. These include the COVID-19 pandemic that has killed millions, the ongoing conflict in Syria, and the deteriorating situation in many African nations including several civil wars and coups. In addition, a series of terrorist attacks have taken place around the world, while the Israeli government has been pummeled by Hamas airstrikes and other retaliation operations as it tries to destroy the militant group.

A large part of world news comes from a network of independent journalists who cover events worldwide and submit their stories to various media outlets for publication. These reporters are sometimes called stringers, and they usually don’t have permanent contracts with any one company. They are able to produce articles that can be sold to multiple newspapers at the same time by using services known as wires or news agencies, of which Reuters, AP and AFP are among the best-known examples.